Light bulbs, fuses and the like



Jan. 3, 1967 J. A. KIENZLE LIGHT BULBS, FUSES AND THE LIKE Tics-El Filed March '7, 1966 Tica-ZA :E" 1'. [2-1-5 TLET United States Patent 3,296,400 LIGHT BULBS, FUSES AND THE LIKE John A. Kienzle, P.O. Box 1265, Shawnee, Okla. 74801 Filed Mar. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 532,297 13 Claims. (Cl. 200130) This invention relates generally to improved light bulbs, fuses and the like. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an improved base contact for light bulbs, fuses and the like incorporating a plurality of stacked contacts.

The construction of light bulbs having a plurality of filaments interconnected with a plurality of contacts positioned on the base has been known for many years. Generally, the filaments and base contacts are arranged to provide a single light bulb having a brightness depending upon the number of filaments energized through the base contacts.

US. Patent No. 966,812 issued in 1910 to C. I. Dodson teaches the construction of a light bulb incorporating a pair of filaments arranged in electrical parallel relationship and connected with a pair of base contacts. The base contacts are disposed in overlying and underlying relationship so that only one of the contacts is in engagement With the contact in the socket at any one time. As taught therein, the overlying contact is left intact until the filament connected therewith is destroyed. When this occurs, the overlying contact is removed, exposing the underlying contact whereby the second filament can be energized. Thus, the disclosure of the Dodson patent teaches the structure of a light bulb which should have a life expectancy of twice that of the usual single filament bulb.

The light bulb structure as disclosed in the Dodson patent has never been successfully commercially exploited. While the double contact bulb disclosed therein teaches the basic concept of overlying and underlying contacts, it can be appreciated from reviewing that patent that the patent discloses conductor to contact junctions made inside the base of the bulb and that the structure taught does not lend itself to economical production whereby the bulb can be constructed at a price competitive with the single filament bulbs presently in commercial use.

This invention relates to an improved base for light bulbs, fuses and the like including a plurality of conducting elements arranged in parallel and having a common return lead, the base comprising: a hollow threaded member mounted on one end of the bulb anad electrically connected to the common return lead from the conducting elements; an insulating member disposed in the other end of the threaded member and having an aperture extending therethrough; a plurality of conductor members, each having an end connected with a respective one of the conducting elements and the other ends extending through the insulating member; and, a plurality of stacked contact members insulated from each other and mounted on the insulating member exteriorly of the threaded member, the contact member adjacent the insulating member including a portion disposed in the aperture and having an opening extending therethrough for receiving at least one of the conductor members, each of the contact members being electrically connected to a respective one of the conductor members exteriorly of the tubular and insulating members on the exterior of the base and each being successively removable to expose the adjacent underlying contact member.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved base whereby a light bulb, fuse, or the like utilizing such base will have a greater life than a corresponding bulb, fuse, or the like as presently constructed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an 3,296,400 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 improved base for light bulbs, fuses and the like that can be easily and economically produced.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved light bulb having a life expectancy approximately twice that of currently available light bulbs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved light bulb that can be quickly, easily and economically produced.

One other object of the invention is to provide improved fuse having a life expectancy of approximately twice that of currently available fuses.

One additional object of the invention is to provide an improved fuse that can be quickly, easily and economically produced.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in all views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a light bulb constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view illustrating the structure of the overlying contact utilized in the light bulb of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary view of a portion of the over lying contact of FIG. 2, but illustrating a modification thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of improved base that is also constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of the underlying contact utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the overlying contact utilized in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of base also constructed in accordance with the invention; and,

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fuse plug also constructed in accordance with the invention.

Embodiment of FIG. 1

Referring to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein and generally designated by the reference character 10 is a light bulb constructed in accordance with the invention. As illustrated, the light bulb 10 includes a glass globe 12 having a neck portion 14 that is closed at its lower end. A support portion 16 extends upwardly from the lower end of the neck portion 14 to support a first conductor 18, a second conductor 20, and a third conductor 22.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the conductors 18, 20 and 22 extend through the support portion 16 with the upper ends thereof disposed within the globe 12. The lower ends of the conductors 18, 20 and 22 are connected as will be descirbed hereinafter.

The conductors 18, 20 and 22 support and electrically connect a first filament 24 and a second filament 26. The filament 24 has one end connected with the first conductor 18 and the other end connected with the conductor 22. The filament 26 has one end connected with the conductor 20 and the other end connected with the conductor 22.

The light bulb 10 also includes a base generally designated by the reference character 28. The base 28 includes a hollow threaded member 30 that has an upper end 32 connected with the neck portion 14 of the globe 12. An insulating member 34 is disposed in a lower end 36 of the threaded member 30. The insulating member 34 has an aperture 38 extending therethrough sized to receive a stern portion 40 of a first or underlying contact 42.

In addition to the stern portion 40, the underlying contact 42 also includes an enlarged contact portion 44 and has an opening 46 that extends therethrough. The opening 46 is sized to receive the conductor 18 which is soldered to the contact portion 44 at the lower or exterior end thereof.

In constructing the base 28, it will be noted and as is illustrated in FIG. 1, that the stem portion 40 of the contact 42 is extended through the aperture 38 and flared outwardly so that the contact 42 is retained in the insulating member 34 between the engagement of the flared end of the stem portion 40 and the enlarged contact portion 44.

The conductor 22, as previously mentioned is connected at its upper end with both the filaments 24 and 26, extends downwardly through the support portion 16 and outwardly through the neck portion 14 of the globe 12. The exposed end of the conductor 22 is soldered, as indicated by the reference character 48, to the upper end 32 of the threaded member 30. Thus, the conductor 22 forms a common return lead for electrical energy passing through either the filament 24 or the filament 26.

The lower end of the conductor 20 extends through the insulating member 34 and is soldered, as indicated by the reference numeral 50, to the exterior of a second or overlying contact 52. It is important to note, and as is clearly shown in FIG. 1, that the soldered connection 50 between the conductor 20 and the contact 52 is made externally of the insulating member 34 and the threaded member 30.

Also, the conductor 20 is preferably bonded in the insulating member 34. The apparent opening in FIG. 1 is utilized to illustrate clearly the extension of the conductor 22 through the member 34.

The details of construction of the second or overlying contacts 52 are more clearly illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 2. As shown therein, the contact 52 includes a dished contact portion 54 that is arranged to overlie the first contact 42, a relatively narrow tab 56 that extends outwardly from the periphery of the contact portion 54, and a second relatively narrow tab 58 that also extends from the periphery of the contact portion 54 adjacent the conductor 20.

In the preferred form of the overlying contact 52, the tab 58 includes notches 60 and 62 formed adjacent the juncture between the tab 58 and the periphery of the contact portion 54. The purpose of the notches 60 and 62 and the tab 56 will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tab 58 is imbedded in the insulating material 34, thereby holding the contact portion 54 in overlying relationship with the contact portion 44 of the first contact 42. An insulating material 64 is disposed between the first and second contacts 42 and 52, respectively, to prevent electrical interconnection therebetween. The insulation material 64 is preferably permanently bonded to the interior of the contact 52.

FIG. 2A illustrates a modification of the overlying contact 52 that is designated by the reference character 52a. As illustrated therein, the contact 52a includes a contact portion 54a constructed identically to the contact portion 54 and a tab portion 58a that is arranged to be imbedded in the insulation member 34 and that is notched at 60a and 62a adjacent the periphery of the contact portion 54a. It can be seen in FIG. 2A that the tab portion 58a is folded to form an opening for receiving the conductor 20. The conductor 20 is soldered to the tab portion 58a externally of the insulating member 34 and the threaded member 30.

Operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1

The light bulb is utilized in connection with a threaded socket (not shown) having a threaded wall portion forming one electrical contact and a center contact insulated from the threaded wall forming a second contact. The structure of. such threaded sockets is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

As can be appreciated from viewing FIG. 1, the bulb 10 is screwed into the threaded socket (not shown). When the overlying contact 52 on the base 28 engages the center contact of the socket (not shown), an electrical circuit is completed through the conductor 20, filament 26, conduct-0r 22 and the threaded member 30. Thus, the filament 26 is energized to emit light in a well known manner.

When the filament .26 has burned out or is otherwise destroyed thereby breaking the electrical circuit, the bulb 10 ceases to emit light. When this occurs, the bulb 10 is unscrewed from the socket (not shown).

After removal, the overlying contact 52 and the attached insulation 64 are removed from the base 28. The removal of the overlying contact 52 is accomplished by inserting the fingernail or some relatively thin object under the tab 56 and lifting outwardly, whereupon the contact portion 54 is bent relative to the tab 58 along a plane defined by the notches 60 and 62. The contact portion 54 is then moved back and forth a few times until the contact portion 54 is separated from the tab 58. Simultaneously, the conductor 20 is separated along the same or similar plane.

After the contact 52 and the insulation 64 have been removed, the bulb 10 is again screwed into the socket (not shown) until the overlying contact 42 engages the center contact in the socket. When this occurs, an electrical circuit is completed through the conductor 18, filament 24 and conductor 22 through the threaded member 38. When the electrical circuit has been completed, the filament 24 is energized to emit light as is well known.

Similarly, when the overlying contact 52a is utilized in lieu of the contact 52, the contact portion 54:: is removed by bending back and forth a few times whereby the contact portion 54a separates from the tab portion 58a along a plane defined by the notches 60a and62a. However, it will be noted that the conductor 20 is not broken since it is attached to the tab portion 58a and not to the contact portion 54a.

From the foregoing, it is believed apparent that the bulb 10, when constructed in accordance with the invention, provides a service life of approximately twice that of the bulbs currently available. Also, it should be pointed out that the bulb 10 may be quickly and easily constructed due to the structural arrangement of the base 28 and, in particular, due to the formation of all soldered connections joining the conductors 18, 20 and 22 to their respective portions of the base 28 exteriorly of the tubular member 38 and the insulating member 34.

Embodiment of FIG. 3

The enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of base that can be utilized with the bulb 10. The base is generally designated by the reference character 28a and is also constructed in accordance with the invention.

As can be appreciated by comparing FIGS. 1 and 3, many of the components utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 3 are identical to those previously described in connection with FIG. 1. Identical parts in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference characters utilized in the description of FIG. 1.

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the base 28a includes the threaded member 30 which has its upper end 32 connected with the neck portion 14 of the globe 12 and its lower end 36 securely engaging a modified form of the insulating member 34 that is designated by the reference character 34a. The insulating member 34a has an aperture 38a extending therethrough that is sized to receive a stern portion 66 on a first or underlying contact68.

As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 4, the contact 68,

in addition to the stern portion 66, includes an enlarged contact portion 70 and has an opening 72 that extends therethrough. The opening 72 is sufficiently large to accommodate both the conductors 18 and 20 and provides room for an insulating sleeve 74 that encircles the conductor 20. The conductor 20 is insulated from both the contact 68 and from the conductor 18 by the insulating sleeve 74. The lower end of the conductor 18 is soldered to the contact portion 70 at the exterior surface thereof as indicated by the reference character 78. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, the contact member 68 is retained in the insulating member 34a in a manner identical to that previously described in connection with retention of the contact member 42 in the insulating member 34.

A second or overlying contact 78 is provided with an opening 80 (see FIG. 5) for receiving the lower end of the conductor 20. The extension of the conductor 20 through the opening 80 permits soldering the conductor 20 to the contact 78 from the exterior thereof as indicated by the reference character 82.

The contact 78 is provided with a relatively small tab 84 extending outwardly from a periphery thereof. The tab 84 is provided to aid in removing the overlying contact 78 from the base 28a.

As shown in FIG. 3, an insulating material 86 is disposed between the contacts 68 and 78. The insulating material 86 is preferably bonded to the overlying contact 78 and is temporarily adhered to the underlying contact 68. The connection of the contact 78 with the conductor 20 and the adherence of the insulating material 86 to the contact 68 holds the contact 78 in overlying position as illustrated.

The operation of the bulb with the base 28a positioned thereon is identical to the operation of the bulb 10 with the base 28 as previously described in connection with FIG. 1. However, it should be pointed out that the overlying contact 78 and the insulating material 86 are removed by placing a fingernail or other relatively thin object between the insulating member 34a and the tab 84 and prying outwardly, thereby breaking the temporary bond between the insulating material 86 and the underlying contact 68 and breaking the conductor 20 by pulling or twisting. The removal of the overlying contact 78 and the insulation 86 exposes the contact 68 to permit energizing of the filament 24 that is connected between the conductors 18 and 22 as shown in FIG. 1.

The base 28a provides another structural arrangement of the contact 68 and 78 that can be quickly, easily and economically manufactured. Again, it should be pointed out that the ease and economics of manufacturing the base 28 is enhanced by the external soldering operations that are utilized in connecting the conductors 18, 20 and 22 with the contacts 68 and 78 and with the threaded member 30, respectively.

Embodiment of FIG. 6

The fragmentary, cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of base also constructed in accordance with the invention and generally designated by the reference character 28b. The base 28b is arranged to be mounted on the lower end of the neck portion 14 of the globe 12 as described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1. The base 28b includes many parts that are identical with those previously described in connection with FIG. 1 and the same reference characters will be utilized to identify the identical parts.

The base 28b includes the threaded member 30 that has its upper end 32 attached to the neck portion 14 of the globe 12 and the insulating member 34 that is positioned in the lower end 36 of the threaded member 30. The first or underlying contact 42 is constructed as described in connection with FIG. 1 and is disposed in the aperture 38 extending through the insulating member 34. The conductor 18 extends through the opening 46 in the 6 contact 42 and is soldered thereto externally of the threaded member 30.

A second or overlying contact 88 is electrically connected with the conductor 20 which extends through the insulating member 34. As shown in FIG. 6, the contact 88 is constructed almost identically to the contact 78 that is shown in detail in FIG. 5. However, it will be noted in FIG. 6 that the contact 88 does not include the opening 80 therein.

An insulating adhesive is disposed between the contacts 42 and 88 serves to electrically insulate the contacts 42 and 88 from each other while at the same time adhering to the contacts to retain the contact 88 in overlying relationship to the contact 42. The adhesive 90 is preferably permanently adhered to the contact 88 and temporarily adhered to the contact 42, whereby removal of the contact 88 also removes the insulating adhesive 90.

Operationally, the base 28]) functions as previously described in connection with the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. However, it can be appreciated that removing the contact 88 from the base 28b also removes the insulating adhesive 90. The electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the contact 88 is broken by bending or twisting the contact 88.

As previously pointed out, the base 281) may also be constructed quickly, easily and economically since the soldering operations required to join the conductors 18, 20 and 22 to the base 28b are all performed externally thereof, that is, externally of the threaded member 30 and insulating member 34.

Embodiment of FIG. 7

FIG. 7 illustrates in detail the structure of a fuse plug generally designated by the reference character and also constructed in accordance with the invention. As shown therein, the fuse plug 100 includes a hollow body 102 constructed from an insulating material, a pair of fuse elements 104 and 106 positioned in the interior of the hollow body 102 and a cover 108 extending across the top of the interior of the hollow body 102. The cover 108 is preferably constructed from a transparent material to permit observation of the fuse elements 104 and 106.

The base 28b is illustrated in combination with the hollow body 102 to form the fuse plug 100. It should be pointed out that the bases 28 and 28a may also be used satisfactorily.

The upper end 32 of the threaded member 30 is connected with the lower closed end of the hollow body 102. The threaded member 30 forms a portion of the base 28b previously described in detail in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 6. The base 28b also includes the insulating member 34 extending across the lower end 36 of the threaded member 30.

The insulating member 34 carries the first or underlying contact 42 and the overlying contact 88. As previously mentioned, the overlying contact 88 is insulated from the contact 42 by a layer of insulating adhesive 90.

The conductor 18 extends from its soldered connection with the contact 42 upwardly, through the body 102 and has its opposite end electrically connected with the fuse element 104. The conductor 20 extends upwardly from its external connection with the con-tact 88, through the insulating member 34 and the hollow body 102 and has its opposite end connected with the fuse element 106. The other end of each of the fuse elements 104 and 106 is connected with a conductor 22 that extends through the hollow body 102 and has its other end connected with the upper end 32 of the threaded member 30 to form a common return lead.

Operation of the embodiment of FIG. 7

To utilize the fuse plug 100, the threaded member 30 is screwed into a threaded socket (not shown) having a center contact and a threaded sleeve forming a second contact. When the contact 88 engages the center contact of the socket (not shown) the electrical circuit is completed through the conductor 20, the fuse element 106 and the conductor 22 through the engagement of the the threaded member 30 with the threaded sleeve. If an overload occurs in the circuit, the fuse element 106 separates as is well known to those skilled in the art, breaking the circuit and interrupting the flow of current therethrough.

When the fuse element 106 separates, the fuse plug 100 is unscrewed from the socket (not shown) and the contact 88 is removed from the base 28b, exposing the contact 42. The fuse plug 100 is then screwed into the socket (not shown) and the contact 42 engages the center contact of the socket (not shown) to complete an electrical circuit through the conductor 18, the fuse element 104 and the conductor 22 through the threaded member 30.

From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the fuse plug 100 constructed in accordance with the invention can be quickly, easily and economically constructed. As previously mentioned, the external connection of the various conductors with their contact elements is particularly advantageous in the construction of the fuse plug 100, whereby the plug can be produced at a price competitive with single fuse element fuse plugs presently available.

It will be understood that the embodiments described in detail hereinbefore are presented by Way of example only and that many modifications and changes can be made thereto Without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. An improved base for light bulbs, fuses, and the like including a plurality of conducting elements arranged in parallel and having a common return lead, said base comprising:

a hollow threaded member electrically connected to the common return lead from the conducting elements, said threaded member being mounted on one end of the bulb;

an insulating member disposed in the other end of said threaded member and having an aperture extending therethrough;

a plurality of conductor members, each having one end electrically connected with a respective one of the conducting elements and the other ends extending through said insulating member; and,

a plurality of stacked, contact members insulated from each other and mounted on said insulating member and having a contact portion disposed exteriorly of said threaded member, the contact member adjacent said insulaitng member including a portion disposed in said aperture and having an opening extending therethrough for receiving at least one of said conductor members, each of said contact members being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductor members exteriorly of said tubular member and insulating member, and each being successively removable to expose the adjacent underlying contact member.

2. An improved base for light bulbs, fuses and the like including a pair of conducting elements arranged in parallel and having a common return, lead, said base comprising:

a hollow threaded member electrically connected with the common return lead from the conducting elements, said threaded member being mounted on one end of the bulb;

an insulating member disposed in the other end of said threaded member and having an aperture extending therethrough;

a first contact member having a contact portion disposed relatively outside said threaded member, a stem portion disposed in said aperture, and an opening extending therethrough;

a removable second contact member overlying said first contact member and electrically insulated therefrom;

a first conductor connected at one end with one of the conducting elements, said first conductor having the other end extending through said opening and attached to said contact portion exteriorly of said threaded member and insulating member; and

a second conductor connected at one end with the other conducting element, said second conductor extending through said insulating member and attached to said second contact member exteriorly of said threaded member and insulating member, whereby said second contact member can be removed upon destruction of the conducting element connected therewith to expose said first contact member thereby permitting energization of the conducting element interconnected with said first contact member.

3. The improved base of claim 2 wherein said second contact member includes:

a contact portion overlying said first contact member;

a tab portion extending from the periphery of said contact portion and imbedded in said insulating mem ber to hold the contact portion of said second contact member in overlying relationship to the contact portion of said first contact member; and,

insulating material bonded to the contact portion of said second contact member adjacent said first contact member to electrically insulate said first and second contact members.

4. The improved base of claim 3 wherein the tab portion is notched adjacent the periphery of the contact portion of said second contact member, whereby said tab portion and contact portion can be easily separated to remove said contact portion and insulating material to expose said first contact member.

5. The improved base of claim 2 and also including an insulating adhesive permanently bonded to said second contact member and releaseably adhered to said first contact member, whereby said first and second contact members are electrically insulated and whereby said second contact member and insulating adhesive can be removed to expose said first contact member.

6. The improved base of claim 2 wherein said second contact member has an opening therein aligned with the opening in said first contact member; and

said second conductor member extends through said aligned openings and is electrically connected with said second contact member exteriorly of said threaded member and insulating member.

7. An improved incandescent light bulb comprising:

an evacuated hollow globe member having a neck portion;

first, second and third conductor members each having one end disposed within said globe member and the other end projecting from said neck portion;

first and second filament elements disposed in said globe member, each having one end connected with said third conductor member to form a common return, the other end of said first filament element being connected with said first conductor member and the other end of said second filament element being connected with said second conductor member, whereby said filament elements and conductor members are connected in electrical parallel relationship;

a hollow threaded member having one end attached to said neck portion and electrically connected with said third conductor member;

an insulating member disposed in the other end of said threaded member, and having an aperture extending therethrough, said first second conductor members extending through said insulating member;

a first contact member having a contact portion disposed relatively outside said threaded member, a stern portion disposed in said aperture, an opening extending therethrough receiving said first conductor member, and being electrically connected with said first conductor member exteriorly of said threaded member and insulating member; and,

a removable second contact member overlying said first contact member and electrically insulated therefrom and being electrically connected with said second conductor member exteriorly of said threaded memcontact member; and,

insulating material bonded to the contact portion of said second contact member to electrically insulate said first and second contact members.

stem portion disposed in said aperture, an opening extending therethrough receiving said first conductor member, and being electrically connected with said first conductor member exteriorly of said threaded ber and insulating member, whereby said second conmember and insulating member; and,

tact member can be removed to expose said first cona removable second contact member overlying said first tact member. contact member and electrically insulated therefrom 8. The improved light bulb of claim 7 wherein said and being electrically connected with said second second contact member also includes: conductor member exteriorly of said threaded mema contact portion overlying said first contact mem- 10 her and insulating member, whereby said second conber; tact member can be removed to exposed said first a tab portion extending from the periphery of said concontact member.

tact portion and imbedded in said insulating mem 11. The improved fuse plug of claim 10 wherein said ber to hold the contact portion of said second consecond contact member also includes:

tact member in overlying relationship to the contact a contact portion overlying said first contact member;

portion of said first contact member, said tab being a relatively narrow tab portion extending from the notched adjacent the periphery of the contact portion periphery of said contact portion and imbedded in of said second contact member, whereby said tab said insulating member to hold the contact portion portion and contact portion can be easily separated of said second contact member in overlying relationto remove said contact portion to expose said first ship to the contact portion of said first contact member, said tab being notched adjacent the periphery of the contact portion of said second contact member, whereby said tab portion and contact portion can be easily separated to remove such contact portion to 9. The improved light bulb of claim 7 wherein 5 expose said first contact member; and,

said second contact member has an opening therein insulating material bonded to the contact portion of aligned with the opening in said first contact memsaid second contact member to electrically insulated her; and, said first and second contact members.

said second conductor member extends through said 12. The improved fuse plug of claim 10 wherein openings and is electrically connected with said secsaid second contact member has an opening therein cond contact member exteriorly thereof.

10. An improved fuse plug comprising:

a hollow body member constructed from an insulating material and having a closed end;

first and second fuse elements mounted in said body member and disposed in the hollow portion thereof;

first, second and third conductor members extending through the closed end of said body member, said third conductor member being connected with one end of each of said fuse elements to form a common return, the other end of said first fuse element being connected with said first conductor member and the other end of said second fuse element being connected with said second conductor member, whereby said fuse elements and conductor members are connected in electrical parallel relationship;

eluding an insulating adhesive permanently bonded to said second contact member and releasably adhered to said first contact member, whereby said first and second contact members are electrically insulated and whereby said second contact member and insulating adhesive can be removed to expose said first contact member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS a hollow threaded member having one end attached 1,529,217 3/1925 Sachs 200 to said neck portion and electrically connected with 1,533,714 4/1925 Taylor et a1 200 Said third conductor member; 2,579,623 12/ 1951 Stanley 200-125 an insulating member disposed in the other end of said FOREIGN PATENTS threaded member and having an aperture extend- 297,833 11/1929 Great Britain.

ing therethrough, said first and second conductor members extending throughsaid insulating member; BERNARD A GILHEANY Primary Examiner. a first contact member having a contact portion disposed relatively outside said threaded member, a 55 GIT-(SON, Assistant Examiner- 

1. AN IMPROVED BASE FOR LIGHT BULBS, FUSES, AND THE LIKE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTING ELEMENTS ARRANGED IN PARALLEL AND HAVING A COMMON RETURN LEAD, SAID BASE COMPRISING: A HOLLOW THREADED MEMBER ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO THE COMMON RETURN LEAD FROM THE CONDUCTING ELEMENTS, SAID THREADED MEMBER BEING MOUNTED ON ONE END OF THE BULB; AN INSULATING MEMBER DISPOSED IN THE OTHER END OF SAID THREADED MEMBER AND HAVING AN APERTURE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH; A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTOR MEMBERS, EACH HAVING ONE END ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF THE CONDUCTING ELEMENTS AND THE OTHER ENDS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID INSULATING MEMBER; AND, A PLURALITY OF STACKED, CONTACT MEMBERS INSULATED FROM EACH OTHER AND MOUNTED ON SAID INSULATING MEMBER AND HAVING A CONTACT PORTION DISPOSED EXTERIORLY OF SAID THREADED MEMBER, THE CONTACT MEMBER ADJACENT SAID INSULATING MEMBER INCLUDING A PORTION DISPOSED IN SAID APERTURE AND HAVING AN OPENING EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FOR RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CONDUCTOR MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID CONTACT MEMBERS BEING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID CONDUCTOR MEMBERS EXTERIORLY OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AND INSULATING MEMBER, AND EACH BEING SUCCESSIVELY REMOVABLE TO EXPOSE THE ADJACENT UNDERLYING CONTACT MEMBER. 